Sunrise Responds to Manchin Refusing to Support BBB: Democrats Have Failed Us

Washington, DC -- Following the news that Sen. Manchin will not vote for Biden’s Build Back Better Act, Varshini Prakash, Executive Director of Sunrise Movement, released the following statement:

“We do not live in a democracy when Joe Manchin, a coal baron with clear conflicts of interest, can kill life-saving climate legislation that is backed by the American people, President Biden, and 49 other Senators. This is disgusting, but who’s surprised? The Squad was right all along– BIF shouldn’t have passed without a guarantee that BBB would pass the Senate. 

“Let’s be clear: the death of BBB isn’t just Joe Manchin’s fault. The failure of BBB passing is also on Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer. They had a moral obligation to play hard ball with Joe Manchin, and chose not to. History will remember Joe Biden and Democrats for failing to curb emissions and save working people when they had the chance. Our leaders have failed us, and we will replace you.” 

The Sunrise Movement is a youth movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. We unite to make climate change an urgent priority across America, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics, and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people.